2 hrs ago
Imran Khan, Lekha Washington Detained Amid CJP Protest in Mumbai
Imran Khan and Lekha Washington were detained by police in Mumbai on October 10, 2026.
They were at August Kranti Maidan, where people had gathered in support of a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party.
Imran said he came as a citizen and wanted to know why people’s movement and voices were being restricted.
The party wants Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
It says its demand is connected to alleged problems with changes to voter lists.
Mumbai Police said permission had not been given for a protest at that location.
The reports give different numbers for people detained in Mumbai, while a separate report says nearly 4,000 were detained amid a crackdown in Delhi.
Some film-industry figures criticised the police actions, while the reports do not provide a response from the election officials to the party’s allegations.
Actor Imran Khan and actor Lekha Washington were detained by Mumbai Police at August Kranti Maidan on October 10, 2026.
Khan said he attended as a private citizen, not as a representative of an organisation or with specific demands.
The protest supported the Cockroach Janata Party's call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
The CJP cited alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and changes involving voter-registration Form 6.
Mumbai Police said permission had not been granted for a protest at August Kranti Maidan; reports differ on detention totals, citing more than 400 in Mumbai and nearly 4,000 in Delhi.
- Who
- Actors Imran Khan and Lekha Washington, along with other protesters; the CJP called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
- What
- Khan and Washington were detained amid a protest in support of the CJP's demonstration and demand.
- Where
- August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai; the related demonstration was planned for Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
- When
- October 10, 2026; a related demonstration was planned for October 11 in Delhi.
- Why
- The CJP protested alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and changes involving Form 6, and demanded Kumar's resignation; Mumbai Police said the Mumbai gathering lacked permission.
Protesters and supporters
Police and authorities
Right to protest and detentions
Protesters and supporters
Imran Khan said he was concerned about restrictions on movement and people's voices. Film-industry figures criticised the detentions and crackdown.
Police and authorities
Mumbai Police said permission had not been sought or granted for a protest at August Kranti Maidan and cited court directions allowing protests only at Azad Maidan.
Electoral-roll revision
Protesters and supporters
The CJP alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision and changes relating to Form 6, and demanded Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Police and authorities
The reports do not include a response from Kumar or election authorities to the allegations.
Key facts
- Mumbai detention
- Imran Khan and Lekha Washington were detained at August Kranti Maidan on October 10, 2026.
- Khan's explanation
- He said he was there as a citizen, without specific demands or affiliation with an organisation.
- CJP demand
- The party demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
- Stated issue
- Alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6.
- Mumbai police position
- Police said permission had not been sought or granted for a protest at August Kranti Maidan, and cited court directions limiting protests to Azad Maidan.
- Detention figures
- Reports cite more than 400 detained in Mumbai; another reports nearly 4,000 detained in Delhi amid a wider crackdown.
- Delhi security
- A report said more than 40,000 Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel were deployed across the capital.
- Criticism
- Prakash Raj, Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Dadlani and other film-industry figures criticised or expressed support amid the police actions.
Quotes
Vishal Dadlani
Singer criticizing police actions and security deployment
“At present, the whole world is watching that the system can go to such lengths to save one person. They are going against its own people, their right to protest in this country. 23 battalions have been called for the crackdown. The entire city is on a standstill, with cancellations of trains and metros. Only to save one person! So think for yourself what this person must have done for this system and how the system has been broken down to save him.”
indianexpress.com
“What is this hungama? Detaining youngsters from the flights and homes? Not even letting them reaching the protest site? You have not arrested our voice! You have arrested yourself. This country will not let you kill democracy, it is a long fight and we will continue to ask questions… Game on! The nation is watching.”
indianexpress.com
Lekha Washington
Actor detained with Imran Khan in Mumbai
“Folks, we have been detained. We are all in a cop car. I am going to send the pin. Can you please follow that? I have no idea where we are going. Let’s hope for the best.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Actor Imran Khan detained during CJP protest in Mumbai
Mumbai CJP Protest: Aamir Khan's Nephew & Actor Imran Khan Detained Along With Several Protesters At August Kranti Maidan
Actor Imran Khan, Girlfriend Lekha Washington Detained During CJP Protest In Mumbai
Imran Khan detained in Mumbai amid CJP protest; Prakash Raj, Anurag Kashyap slam crackdown
Related news
Imran Khan, Zayn Marie Khan Detained During Mumbai CJP Protest
Mumbai Police Detain Around 200 at Protest Supporting CJP Stir
CJP Leaders Detained Aboard Flight Before Delhi Protest
CJP Leaders Detained From Flight Ahead of Delhi Protest
Tushar Gandhi Detained Ahead of Mumbai Protest Backing CJP
Dhruv Rathee Detained Ahead of CJP Protest in Delhi
Imran Khan’s Comeback Film Targets December OTT Release
Why Asim Munir May Seek to Reshape Pakistan’s Provinces
Pakistan to Deploy Forces to Saudi Arabia Without Parliamentary Vote